On this rewarding trek we summit Africa’s highest mountains: Mount Kenya (Point Lenana 4985m) and Mount Kilimanjaro (Uhuru Peak 5895m). Mount Kenya is considered one of the most scenic mountains in Africa and on our trek we tackle the mountain using the Sirimon route while we take the Naro Moru route for the descent. Walking through different eco-systems, we try to spot the wildlife that inhabits the mountain and admire unusual flora such as the spectacular lobelia and senecio plants. We take advantage of our acclimatisation on Mount Kenya to tackle Mount Kilimanjaro in 6 days through the quiet Rongai Route, using different ascent and descent paths. Highlights include the ice fields of Kibo, the daunting Barranco Wall and the breathtaking views from the summit itself.
Itinerary
[+] Detailed Itinerary
1
Join tour Nairobi
Join your tour in Nairobi and meet your group and Tour Leader for an introductory briefing.
Overnight Standard Hotel
2
Drive to Mount Kenya, overnight at Bantu
Drive to Mount Kenya, afternoon at leisure. Optional activities include nature walks (look out for Colobus monkeys), visit Mau Mau caves, boating on the resident lake. (About 3-4 hours walking)
Overnight Basic Mountain Shelter
Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
3
Transfer to Sirimon Gate and begin the Mount Kenya trek
Today we transfer to Sirimon Gate and begin our exhilarating trek on Mount Kenya. We first trek through montane forest vegetation which becomes heathland after about 3 hours. From Old Moses camp we can see the summits of Batian and Nelion. (About 4-5 hours walking)
Overnight Basic Mountain Shelter
Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
4
From Old Moses to Liki camp and return, acclimatisation walks
Today we take an acclimatisation walk from Old Moses to Liki Camp and back. The relaxed ascent is characterised by great views of valleys with alpine vegetation (such as giant lobelia, everlasting flowers and cabbage groundsels) and sightings of Batian and Nelion.
Overnight Basic Mountain Shelter
Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
5
Ascend to Shiptons
Today we ascend to Shiptons into tussock grass vegetation with giant groundsels and curious rock formations. (About 6-8 hours walking)
Overnight Basic Mountain Shelter
Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
6
To Mackinders
The vegetation becomes increasingly sparse and we start coming across tarn lakes. We ascend to Hausebergs col at 4590m before descending into the Hausberh valley and arriving at Shiptons camp where we overnight. (About 4 hours walking)
Overnight Basic Mountain Shelter
Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
7
Summit Point Lenana (4985m) and descend to Met station
Our day starts at 3am to begin our summit attempt via Austrian hut where we stop for a brief rest. We reach Point Lenana by sunrise enjoying glorious views from Point Lenana (4985m). Thereafter we return to Mackinders to enjoy a full breakfast before our descent to Met station. (About 11 hours walking)
Overnight Basic Mountain Shelter
Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
8
Descend via Naro Moru, transfer to Nairobi
Descend via the scenic Naro Moru route via the vertical bog (wet moorland), bamboo forest and tropical rainforest. Transfer to Nairobi, overnight. (About 3 hours walking)
Overnight Standard Hotel
Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch
9
Fly to Kilimanjaro, transfer to Moshi
Today we fly to Kilimanjaro airport and transfer to Moshi, where we relax before our next trek.
Overnight Standard Hotel
Included meals: Breakfast
10
Drive to Nale Moru; walk to Simba Camp
This morning we will drive to the village of Nale Moru for the starting point of the Rongai route. Porters will assist throughout the trek carrying all of our luggage. You only need carry what you will need for the day – waterproofs, a camera, water bottle and a packed lunch. The first stage of the trek is through farmland and pine forests You may have chance to see the beautiful Kilimanjaro Colobus monkey, elephant or buffalo en route. Our first camp will be at the edge of the moorland zone at around 2600m (About 4 hours walking).
Overnight Basic Camping
Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
11
Walk to Kikelewa camp via ‘Second Cave’
Leaving the pine forest behind we carry on with a steady ascent walking though moorland. There are superb views of the Eastern icefields on the crater rim of Kibo, the highest of the three volcanoes which form the mountain. We will have lunch at the ‘Second cave’ at 3450m. In the afternoon we will leave the main trail and strike out across moorland on a smaller path towards the jagged peaks of Mawenzi, the second of Kilimanjaro’s volcanoes. We will set up campt today in the sheltered valley near Kikilewa caves at 3650m (About 8 hours walking).
Overnight Basic Camping
Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
12
Trek to Mawenzi Tarn
This morning we have a short but steep ascent up grassy slopes which is rewarded by a superb view of the Kenyan plains to the north. We leave vegetation behind shortly before reaching our next camp at Mwenzi Tarn (4330m) directly below the towering cliffs of Mawenzi. This afternoon you have chance to rest or explore the surrounding area to aid acclimatisation. (About 3-4 hours walking).
Overnight Basic Camping
Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
13
Trek to Kibo Camp
We leave our campsite and cross the lunar desert of the ‘saddle’ between Mawenzi and Kibo After a couple hours trekking, reach this spectacular place, with the summit of Kilimanjaro in the backround and our trail to the high camp stretched out before our eyes. Upon reaching our camp the remainder of the day will be spent resting in preparation of the final ascent after a very early night!(4700m) (About 4 - 6 hours walking).
Overnight Basic Camping
Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
14
Summit day and descent to Horombo camp
We start the final, and by far the steepest and most demanding part of the climb, around midnight. We will walk very slowly in the darkness on a switchback trail through losse volcanic scree to reach the crater rim at Gilman’s point(5685m).We will have a short rest to admire the spectacular sunrise over Mawenzi, before pushing on to the final ascent to Ulhuru Peak (5896m) approximately 3 hours round trip. We will pass spectacular glaciers and ice cliffs that still occupy most of the summit areas. The descent to Kibo hut is surprisingly fast and after some refreshment we continue our descent to our camp for the night at Horombo (3720m). (13- 15 hours walking)
Overnight Basic Camping
Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
15
Walk to Marangu gate and drive to Moshi
Today we have a steady descent through moorland and a lush forest at Mandara (2700m) down to the gate at Marangu.(1830m)Here we will say goodbye to our porters and drive back to Moshi, arriving late afternoon.
Overnight Standard Hotel
Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
16
Tour ends Moshi
The trip ends today in Moshi after breakfast.
Included meals: Breakfast